rebeccakool.com

  Written in Ajijic; posted in White Rock…

Lunch With the "Lunch Bunch"

As my departure date nears, people are asking “will you miss Mexico?”  Yes, of course.  I’m so glad that I came, faced the negative parts of living here for four years, and relaxed into what I love most about this area.  There are the givens: temperate climate, flora and fauna, the beach four hours away, and a relaxed, affordable lifestyle which allows for a maid and a gardener every week.  But it’s the people that make the difference.  We gringos are all retired; we enjoy one another’s company and make friends easily and quickly.  It’s like one big extended family.  As in most families there’s squabbling, gossip, and grudges but that just makes us all normal!  Most residents have led very interesting lives.  There’s the odd celebrity sighting—well, the celebrities aren’t odd, that I know of, but you know what I mean!  People are left alone to live out their lives in a way that suits them.  Mexico is not a rigid country with a rule book.  Manana, while often frustrating, has its place.  I would bet that blood pressure is lower here than in the US/Canada.  Once you are acclimated to the high altitude and the hot months, the weather becomes your best friend. Read the rest of this entry »

The Boys on the Plaza

A normal morning routine.  I backed out the long drive through the black iron gates, approached the highway, looked to my left to check for oncoming traffic ……and there she was.  The road kill count has gone up by one…a beautiful dark brown mare was hit by a vehicle overnight.  The sad thing is I saw this horse yesterday on my way home;  she’d bitten through the rope that tethers her to a certain spot where she can eat the high grasses.  When I saw her eating at the edge of the highway I just had a feeling.  What a tragedy.  I suppose the only plus is that she will be hauled away sometime today by who knows who.  When we lived here before, that didn’t happen…for days. Read the rest of this entry »

The Crew...Augustin's Viva Mexico kitchen

  The countdown has begun.  Somehow days and weeks have raced by, while I still sit with so many unfinished projects scattered around the desk.

I can always write and organize projects when I return to Canada but I can’t spend relaxing hours watching the hummers war over their juice, share meals with old friends, greet a new flower that’s opened overnight, make new friends, admire art and weaving from talented locals, and chat with Max-bird who has his own cult following!

A small corner of this fantastic, colorful Studio;

MaxBird & Azetec Studio Crew

 And did I mention the local writer’s group where writers can bare their souls, confident that listeners will give fresh insight, constructive criticism, and praise, sprinkled with the encouragement every writer needs to keep going. Read the rest of this entry »

Ajijic's Landmark

I can be found here every morning!

I’m a week into my second month here in Mexico; and, yes, I’ve neglected posting something..anything.. on my blog. Not because there’s nothing happening; quite the contrary, too much has been happening! So here are some rambling thoughts and observations: Read the rest of this entry »

Good things always happen on Tuesday.  Today was no exception.  I visited a new outdoor organic market, open every Tuesday morning.  I arrived just before the official start and was lucky to buy the ONLY batch of swiss chard;  I also purchased cilantro, beautiful round small green tomatoes (not as in fried green tomatoes),  a cucumber,  some organic coffee,  and a piece of gluten-free chocolate cake.  YES!  Cake!!  The vendor told me she supplies a local supermarket with her GF goods, in the freezer section.  I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to get home to savor that cake with a cuppa joe. Read the rest of this entry »

It seems like months since I’ve blogged even though it’s only been six weeks.  What could possibly have kept me from blogging?  Life.  Yes, life got in the way.  Coupled with that “day job” of mine,  learning Excel so I could keep my organization’s books in order,  tax preparation,  and assorted other interruptions blogging didn’t stand a chance.  Then there’s all the organizing and packing required for a two-month trip.  YES! I’m going away for two whole months. Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »

 n Friday, April 9^th, I set out on the open road (something I love to do…Thelma without Louise!) heading to Redmond WA. for the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators 19^th Annual Conference, STEP INTO THE STORY GARDEN.

The drive went by quickly; thanks to explicit directions, I found the Marriott Hotel inside Redmond Town Center.  After registration I met my roommate, Sharon.  We were matched up by the organizing committee solely on our need to share the cost of the room!  Little did we know that we’d discover we are twins, separated at birth, only to be reunited at the conference!  Talk about serendipity.  All kidding aside, I’ve never met someone whose life so parallels my own. It was spooky. Sharon and I connected immediately and had a great time together.  A friend for life.

Sharon and Rebecca, on a break

  Read the rest of this entry »

Yukon River, usually frozen in February, meanders through Whitehorse

Once in awhile you come across a vacation deal that’s too good to pass up.  We’ve never been to the far North but when I read about a round-trip plus two nights in a hotel in Whitehorse, Yukon it didn’t take long to sign up.

Being the last weekend of the Olympics it seemed a good time to get out of the hoopla and enjoy the cold, snow, and sunshine of this northern city.  We were on a quest to see the northern lights;  we were happy to find wonderful people, great eateries, and a coffee shop that served gluten-free pastries/sandwiches! Read the rest of this entry »

It was tough but I think going cold turkey was the only way to beat Olympic withdrawal.  It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen ice dancing, curling, hockey, speed skating, downhill racing.  I turn on the television to find the same old-same old–news, talk shows…boring in comparison.  Where’s the thrill of speed skate racing?   The thrill of that “do-or-die” hockey game? Read the rest of this entry »